Sunday, June 30, 2002

Aachen Is Over, For This Year

For every rider, no matter how much they have shown in the international arena, there is nothing like Aachen. It's like having a World Championships, every year. The audience of over 75,000 are all horse lovers, knowledgable on the subtle movements of dressage, and they are with each rider over every fence in showjumping.

During the closing ceremonies, the Farewell to Nations, each Nation is represented, as they are introduced to the crowd. This year it was in front of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, Aachen's guest of honor. Christine Traurig and Guenter Seidel represtented the United States, and the queen's gaze followed Christine and Etienne.

Then in the final farewell, the riders pull white hankies out of their pockets, as does every person in the audience and for one more round, riders and their "fans" wave farewell.

It always brings a tear to my eyes! DressageDaily will be touring Europe for one more week, with a visit to the Reesink Farm in the Netherlands, Astrid Appels graduation party, and more, photos, stories, and horses.

We are always challenged getting on line, as each country has another system. So if we do not appear daily this week, we will catch up with so much more to come in the month of July. Stay tuned as we organize our photos, and bring you a very special photo album of Aachen, a preview of what is to come for the World Equestrian Games.